Main fights of the UFC Fight Night tournament on August 1: card review and fighters' uniforms

An interesting welterweight bout will take place in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the Belgrade Arena in Belgrade (Serbia) on August 1. The tournament will be led by Serbian Uros Medic and American Daniel Rodriguez, who occupy 14th and 15th places in the division rankings, respectively. This will be a historic event for the UFC, as the promotion will host a tournament in Serbia for the first time.

Main Fight (welterweight): Uros Medich vs. Daniel Rodriguez

Uros Medic is one of the most prominent Serbian UFC fighters. Before the home tournament, he is on a three-win streak, and in the last match in February 2026, he knocked out Jeff Neal in the first round. Medich fought ten fights in the UFC, won seven of them, and won each victory by knockout.

Daniel Rodriguez is an experienced American welterweight who also approaches the tournament with three consecutive wins. In recent appearances, he has successively passed Alex Morono, Santiago Ponzinibbio and Kevin Holland. For both athletes, the meeting in Belgrade will be the first major event of the UFC tournament in their careers.

Medich is especially dangerous in the first rounds, whereas a protracted five-round fight can give Rodriguez more opportunities. Medich is a favorite due to heavier and more accurate hits.

Co-main bout (Light Heavyweight): Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling

Jan Blachowicz is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and one of the most experienced participants in the tournament. Initially, the Pole was supposed to have a rematch with Bogdan Guskov, but after the card changes, Navajo Stirling became his new opponent.

Stirling represents a new generation of light heavyweights. In Belgrade, he gets the biggest test of his career — a victory over a former champion can dramatically bring him closer to the top of the rankings. At the time of the tournament, Blachowicz is number four in the rankings, and Stirling is 15th.

Age and dynamics can be important factors. Stirling looks more dangerous due to his speed and is able to take the fight by decision, but Blachovich's experience makes this confrontation a serious test for the young fighter.

Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Alexander Rakich

Another notable confrontation will be the meeting of Marcin Tybura and Alexander Rakic. The tournament has a special significance for Rakic: the fighter of Serbian origin will perform in front of the Belgrade audience.

Tybura is an experienced heavyweight who is used to physically demanding fights and is able to combine stand—up work with wrestling. Rakic has spent most of his career in the light heavyweight division and has good striking technique, so switching to a full-fledged heavyweight adds extra intrigue to the fight.

If Rakic remains mobile for three rounds, he can outplay his opponent in a standing position. However, the physical size and experience of heavyweight training can significantly complicate this task.

Seriy Volkov: prospects of the Russian's fight for the UFC title remain vague

The duel with Cortez-Acosta turned out to be one of the most difficult in Alexander's career, but victory does not guarantee anything.

Middleweight: Dusko Todorovich vs. Robert Valentine

Serbian Dusko Todorovic will be another representative of the hosts at the tournament. His opponent will be Swiss Robert Valentin.

Todorovich prefers active stand-up work, but is able to engage in wrestling. Valentin is also quite versatile and poses a threat on the ground floor.

For Todorovich, an important advantage may be the opportunity to work as the number one in front of a home audience. At the same time, excessive aggression can open up opportunities for Valentine to counterattack and make transfers. The meeting looks competitive and can go the whole distance.

UFC Fight Night: Medich — Rodriguez will take place on August 1, 2026 at the Belgrade Arena in Belgrade. The main card starts at 20:00 Moscow time, the preliminary card starts at 17:00 Moscow time.